Recreation leader shot in the hand in Southwest Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Shots erupted Wednesday afternoon at Frank H. Ball Park. The supervisor of the rec center was caught in the middle as two groups exchanged fire. Officers said the park employee, David Harvey, suffered a gunshot wound to his left hand.

A sanctuary for kids turned into a violent battleground Wednesday afternoon.

Manuel Mollindeo, Director of Fresno PARCS, said. "I don't want to think about what could have happened."

The park's supervisor caught in the crossfire.

"What we're getting is the group was all together at one point, and then something happened to separate the group into two different parties," said Lt. Ron Hughes, Fresno Police.

Fresno police said a crowd of 18 to 20-year-olds were hanging out in the ballfield. They then split in two groups and started firing at one another. Harvey, heard the shots and ran outside.

"When he stepped out of the building, there was a young person there. He went to grab the child and that's when he noticed he was hit," said Mollindeo.

Harvey suffered a minor injury to his hand, but the incident clearly shook up Mollindeo.

"You tell your staff to be cautious, but often times there's not a whole heck of a lot you can do."

No arrests have been made, but officers said the shooter from the first group was a hispanic man wearing a dark colored T-shirt and khaki colored pants. The suspect from the second group was in a white T-shirt.

"What's even sadder, is we couldn't have interceded years ago and maybe help those guys in trouble today make positive life choices. It's why we have centers like this," said Mollindeo.

And, why they have people like Harvey-- a peacemaker in an often contentious neighborhood.

"Settle their differences in a more peaceful fashion, they really didn't solve anything. I think there could have been a serious tragedy," said Mollindeo.

Harvey was supposed to be honored Thursday for his service at a city council meeting. He told Action News he still plans to attend.